Crowe - NFL Week #7 Power Rankings 2022
Saturday, October 22, 2022
Have you found yourself wondering where all the scoring is in the NFL this season? Well, you’re not alone.
After two brutal back-to-back Thursday night affairs that ended in scores of 12-9 and 12-7, we thought the same thing. A pair of boring victories by the Colts and Commanders over the Broncos and Bears, respectively, will do that to the average NFL fan. So, we took a look back and it’s true. It’s not just an aberration. Scoring in the NFL is down as a whole and it’s not just this season.
The 2020 season, with an average of 24.8 points scored per game, is still the highest-scoring season on record. The 2018 season was on pace through five weeks to be the highest ever, but settled down to just 23.3 points per game. Since that 2020 season, the league as a whole has dropped by over 3 points per game. In 2021, teams were bringing home just 23.0 points a game and that’s now down to 21.6 points per game here in 2022.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe downturn in points has given us one thing, however: closer games. The average margin of victory this season is roughly 8 points per game. If that stays on track, it would be the closest season ever. The record-low average margin of victory dates back to 1932, when teams were winning at a clip of 9.13 points per game.
The other concerning thing for the league through six weeks could be this: there are only 10 teams that have a winning record. Yes, an amazing two-thirds of the league, 20 teams, have a .500 or worse record. Parity, as we discussed in a previous power rankings column, is running rampant. But believe me, the NFL, at least publicly, is not shedding any tears. They are getting closer games, which leads to more views on tv, digital streams and social media and of course, keeps us all glued to our favorite teams and fantasy leagues.
Of course, now that we’ve laid out the case that there is a lack of scoring, all the Saints and Cardinals did Thursday night to kick off week seven was combine for 76 points. So, for now, as we keep an eye on the trends, you can keep your eyes peeled on our week seven power rankings.
10. Cincinnati Bengals (3-3, Last week not ranked)
There’s something to be said for a little home cooking. No, the Bengals didn’t beat the Saints in Cincinnati last Sunday, but former LSU Tigers Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase did return to New Orleans to get back on track. Facing a fourth-quarter deficit, the once-college teammates hooked up for a 60-yard touchdown for the victory. Cincy’s now back at .500 after an 0-2 start and host the surprising Falcons in week seven.
9. Tennessee Titans (3-2, Last week ranked 10th)
The Titans just sat back in week six and held on to its first-place position atop the AFC South. They’ll take a three-game win streak with them as they welcome the second-place Colts to Nashville Sunday.
8. Baltimore Ravens (3-3, Last week ranked 6th)
Lead. Blow lead. Rinse. Repeat. For the third time already this season, the Ravens squandered a double-digit advantage resulting in their third loss. This one was epic. Up four in the fourth quarter, Lamar Jackson threw an ill-advised pass that was picked off. Then, after a Saquon Barkley go-ahead score, Jackson fumbled on the ensuing drive to cement the defeat. Baltimore’s held a double-digit lead in all six games this season, yet sits just at .500. That’s something that has to keep head coach John Harbaugh up at night.
7. New York Jets (4-2, Last week not ranked)
Start spreading the news, the New York Jets are good again. Well, at least through six weeks. The Jets, behind second-year QB Zach Wilson and rookies Breece Hall, Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner, are now winners of three in a row. After back-to-back road victories over the Steelers and Packers to go with week two’s miraculous win in Cleveland, the Jets may just want to stay away from MetLife Stadium, where they are just 1-2. The good news: New York travels to Denver this Sunday.
6. Minnesota Vikings (5-1, Last week ranked 7th)
Another week and it’s another opportunity that the Vikings have taken advantage of this season. Minnesota’s 24-16 win in Miami saw them start against third-string QB Skylar Thompson, who didn’t make it out of the first quarter due to an injured thumb before being replaced by backup Teddy Bridgewater, who was just coming out of the concussion protocol. Either way, there are no style points in the NFL and it spells a 5-1 record and first place for the Vikings.
5. New York Giants (5-1, Last week ranked 9th)
Maybe it’s time we start calling Brian Daboll’s team the comeback kids. For the second straight week, the Giants rallied late in the fourth quarter to beat the Ravens 24-20 behind Saquon Barkley’s go-ahead touchdown. Sparked by a pair of Lamar Jackson turnovers, New York now finds themselves just one game behind the Eagles in the NFC East. Could Sunday’s game against the suddenly reeling Jaguars be a trap?
4. Dallas Cowboys (4-2, Last week ranked 4th)
Week seven should bring the Cowboys the return of quarterback Dak Prescott back from his fractured thumb suffered in week one’s loss to Tampa Bay. Thanks to backup QB Cooper Rush, a solid ground game and the league’s third-best scoring defense, Dallas went 4-1 in his absence, losing only last week in Philadelphia to the undefeated Eagles. With the lowly Lions coming to Texas with a 1-4 record, it could be the soft-landing Prescott and the Cowboys are looking for to get back in the win column.
3. Kansas City Chiefs (4-2, Last week ranked 2nd)
The sequel didn’t quite live up to the original nor did it give the Chiefs another victory. This time, Patrick Mahomes couldn’t answer Josh Allen’s go-ahead touchdown pass, instead throwing a game-ending interception giving the Bills a 24-20 victory. In order to get back into the win column and stay in first place in the AFC West along with the 4-2 Chargers, the Chiefs will have to beat the 49ers in a Super Bowl LIV rematch Sunday in Santa Clara.
2. Buffalo Bills (5-1, Last week ranked 3rd)
You could make the case for the Bills being at the top of our rankings after their 24-20 win in Kansas City. Josh Allen’s touchdown toss to Dawson Knox gave Buffalo the fourth quarter edge and Taron Johnson’s interception of Patrick Mahomes sealed the deal. The stats don’t lie. The Bills are number one in overall offense (440 yards/game), top-ranked in passing offense (323 yards/game, 38 yards better than the #2 Dolphins) and the best in scoring defense (13 points/game). If not for some ineffective situation football in Miami in week four, the Bills could be undefeated.
1. Philadelphia Eagles (6-0, Last week ranked 1st)
Dexter Lawrence of the Cowboys said that we didn’t know how good the Eagles were because they hadn’t played Dallas yet. Well, that was before Sunday night’s 26-17 win by Philly over the Cowboys. The Eagles raced out to a 20-0 lead, dominating Dallas before they made things interesting in the second half. The Eagles lead the league in turnover differential at +12 after a three-interception game against Cooper Rush. Philadelphia has passed every test put in their way through six weeks. This week, there’s no test as the Eagles have their bye to enjoy another week atop our power rankings.
Week six games of interest:
Falcons at Bengals (Sunday 1 pm CBS) – It’s a surprise that both teams are 3-3.
Giants at Jaguars (Sunday 1 pm FOX) – Two teams seemingly going in opposite directions.
Colts at Titans (Sunday 1 pm CBS) – Top two teams in the AFC South tussle in Tennessee.
Jets at Broncos (Sunday 4:05 pm CBS) – The Jets are where the Broncos thought they would be.
Chiefs at 49ers (Sunday 4:25 pm FOX) – Who’s the more desperate team coming off a loss?
Steelers at Dolphins (Sunday 8:20 pm NBC) – Tua Tagovailoa returns for the Dolphins.
Bears at Patriots (Monday 8:15 pm ESPN) – The Pats go for three in a row in primetime.
Last week:
10. Titans
9. Giants
8. 49ers
7. Vikings
6. Ravens
5. Buccaneers
4. Cowboys
3. Bills
2. Chiefs
1. Eagles
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